Photographic printing apparatus



Dec. 11, 1934.

W. C. HUEBNER PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING APPARATUS Filed April 29, 1931 a Sheets-Sheet 1- 1934- w. c HUEBNER 1,984,217

PHOTOGRAPHI C PRINTING APPARATUS Filed April 29, 1931 8 SheetsSheet 2 1 0 Ma, [f #uaJner Dec. 11, 1934. v w. c. HUEBNER I 1,984,217

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING APPARATUS Filed April 29, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 JBA A 31 3 3+ fi J Dec. 11, 1934. w. c. HUEBNER 1,984,217

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING APPARATUS Filed April 29, 1931 I 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Dec. 11, 1934. w. c. HUEBNER 1,984,217

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING APPARATUS Filed April 29, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 D 11, 1.934- W. c. HUEBNER I 1,984,217

PHOTOGRAPHI C PR INT ING APPARATUS Filed April 29, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 fziia/jv/p agjier Dec. 11, 1934. w. c. HUEBNER 1,934,217

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING APPARATUS Filed April 29, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 jug 7737 M7/@ 777 414666171 Dec. 11, 1934. w, c. HUEBNER PHOTOGRAPHIC PR IN'IING APPARATUS Filed April 29, 193

1 8 Shets-Sheet 8 Patented Dec. 11, 1934 UNITED. STATES PATENT- OFFICE 14 Claims.

This invention relates ing apparatus.

The apparatus of the present invention is designed as an improvement and simplification of the apparatus set forth and described in Huebner Patent No. 1,780,678, dated November 4, 1930, and the present improvements are directed in particular to the means for supporting and adjusting the lamp housing; to the means for supporting the sensitized metal plate; to the means for holding various shaped elongated or square negative holders, of any size up to that of covering the entire surface of the sensitized plate; to the provision and mounting for the vacuum pump and associated elements which are carried by the frame of the machine; to the' means provided for adjusting the rack bars which afford vertical travel for the beam which supports the carriage; to the arrangement of the elements for adjusting the beam to a predetermined position; and to the general structure of the frame and the method of supporting the to photographic printworking elements of the mechanism as a whole.

Further objects and details will appear from a description of the invention, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine as a whole;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail in side elevation showing the lamp housing and associated parts;

Fig. 5 isa plan view of a portion of the same;

Fig. 6 is a vertical elevation of the bed plate for supporting the sensitized metal plate, showing in dotted lines the arrangement of the vacuum piping behind the bed plate;

Fig. 7 is a sectional detail showing one of the vacuum connections;

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail of one of the positioning pins for the sensitized plate;

Fig. 9 is a sectional detail of the screw connection for the bed plate;

Fig. 10 is a sectional detail of the means provided for tightening the sensitized plate;

Fig. 11 is a view of the adapter for use with glass plates in the making of group negatives;

Figs. l2, l3, 14, 15 and 16 are fragmental details of said adapter;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged detail of the beam for supporting the carriage and the parts associated therewith;

Fig. 18 is a sectional detail of the beam and adjusting mechanism associated therewith;

Figs. 19 and 20 are sectional Iragmental details of the same;

.Fig. 21 is a plan view of the carriage, with the negative holder in position;

Fig. 22 is a side elevation showing the negative holder lowered; and

Fig. 23 is a cross sectional view of the carriage and beam.

The machine as a whole is mounted upon a main frame 30, in the form of a center post or standard springing upwardly from a base plate 31, and provided at its upper end with laterally extending side arms 32.

Each of the side arms has secured thereto an upright 33 of square hollow formation (Fig. 18), which uprights are connected by lower and upper cross bars 34 and 35 respectively (Fig. 3).

Each of the uprights or standards is channeled in its front face to receive a slide plate 36 (Fig. 18) which is provided with grooves 37-37, which receive the legs of a slide block 38, which slide blocks in unison carry the opposite ends of a beam 39 which extends across the front of the machine and is adapted to be maintained in exactly right angle relation to the uprights or standards 33.

Each of the standards carries a rack bar 40 (Fig. 22) which is engaged by a pinion 41 mounted on a horizontal shaft 42 extending crosswise of the machine, which shaft is provided with a chuck head 43 which permits rotation of the shaft and causes the pinions to roll upon the racks in the vertical adjustment of the beam.

In order to insure exact right angle relation between the beam and the standards, each of the racks 40 is vertically adjustable through the provision of an adjusting screw 44 entered through a foot 45 forwardly extending from the lower end of the standard 33. This arrangement enables the machine to be exactly trued up and adjusted so as to insure precision in the accurate adjustments of the beam.

Each of the slide plates 36 is itself adjustable to a very accurate degree by means of an adjusting screw 46 which is threaded into a head block 47 and passes through a journal head 48 outstanding from the upper end of the standard 33, and terminates in a graduated gauge disk 49 which enables the slide plate to be adjusted within very minute fractions of an inch. The screws on opposite sides of the machine are rotated by means of worm gearing 50 on a shaft 51 extending across the machine and operable by a handle 51".

The beam 39 for rough adjustment travels 55 or the-like (Fig. 20), and tightened by screws 81.

ends of the beam are counterweighted by cables 53 which passover pulleys 54 at the upper ends of the respective standards, and thence down into the interior of the standards, where they are connected with counterweights not shown.

The beam 39 is of I-formation (Fig. 22), which furnishes a channel along the front of the beam for the reception of a slide bar 55, which is provided at one end with a head 56 through which is journalled the end of an adjusting stem 57 (Fig. 18), which stem is provided with threads 58 which are threaded through a head '59 outstanding from the beam. The adjusting stem carries a graduated gauge 60 for accurate adjust inent, and a chuck head 61 for the reception of the handle.

The slide bar is grooved in its front face to receive a slide block 62 which comprises a. portion of the carriage 63, which carriage has depending therefrom a journal head 64 through which is entered a shaft 65 carrying a pinion 66 which meshes with a horizontal rack bar 6? secured to the bottom of the beam 39 (Fig. 23) so that by rotation of a handle 68 the carriage may be rolled along the beam for a quick cross adjustment, and thereafter locked to the slide bar and the slide bar itself adjusted by the screw stem to provide accurate fractional adjustments. means (Fig. 23) includes a pinion 69 meshing with the rack teeth of a bolt 70 which engages with accurately machined space blocks 71 (Fig. 18) carried by the slide bar 55.

The carriage overhangs the beam and is provided-on its inner upper edge with a depending plate '12 which engages the inner edge of the fianges carry a pintle 77 which affords a pivotal mounting for a supporting block '18 which engages -and supports the lower edge of a negative frame 79 which is accurately positioned upon the supporting block "18 by the provision of dowels 80 After the negative holder has been swung upwardly, as in Fig. 23, to contact the sensitized plate, the parts may be locked in this position by the engagement of a finger 82 on the end of a draw bar 83 operated by a screw 84 (Fig. 23).

The slide plate 76' is moved back and forth vupon the upper surface of the carriage by the rotation of a shaft 85 carrying a pinion86 meshing with a rack 87 on the slide plate (Fig. 19)

In front of the main frame is located a track bar 88 which is supported near each end by brackets 89 outstanding from the standards 33, which bar furnishes a rail for the travel of a lamp housing 90, which is centrally supported upon a single post 91 provided with a rack 92 .which meshes with a gear 93 (Fig.4) operated by a worm 94 on a vertical shaft, which in turn is operated by worm gearing 95 on a shaft 96 telminating in a handle 97.

The locking The parts last described are mounted within a.

boxlike housing 98 provided on each side with rollers 99 which ride upon the side rails 100 of a centrally disposed outwardly projecting trackway 101, the inner end of which connects with a carriage 102 which rides upon the track bar 88.

The carriage 102 is provided with upper roll-- ers 103 which run upon the upper edge of the track bar, inner rollers 104 which bear against the face of the track bar near its upper edge, and outer lower rollers 105 which bear against the outer face of the track bar near the lower edge, the arrangement being such as to afford .a firm easy running support adapted to resist,

lamp-or the bulb lamp, as occasion may require.

The machine is provided with a rectangular bed plate of metal or slate, which is secured to the lower and upper cross bars 34 and 35 by screw bolts 111 (Fig. 9), or in any other suitable manner, the screw bolt arrangement permitting of accurate adjustment of the bed plate to a. truly vertical plane. The bed plate is provided with two or more positioning pins 112 (Fig. 8) which are backed by springs 113 and normally project beyond the plane of the bed plate for the purpose of accurately positioning the sensitized plate, which is punched with holes corresponding to the positioning of the pins. Such positioning is particularly useful in cases where the sensitized plate is removed and restored to position. The spring backing for the pins permits the same to depress to a position flush with the surface when contacted by the negative holder, so as not to inter fere with the positioningthereof.

The bed plate is apertured near its comers to receive fittings 114 (Fig. 7) which align with pipe sections 115 coupled to branch pipes 116,

which constitute the diverging portions of a vacuum line 117, so that vacuum may beapplied'to' the under surface of the sensitized plate to assist in holding the same firmly against the vertical bed plate. The fittings 114 are surrounded by rubber cushion washers 118 and thin sealing disks 119 of rubber or the like.

The sensitized plate is adapted to be additionallysecured by countersunk screws and is stretched into a smooth or tight condition by screw attachment to a draw bar 120 (Fig. 10)

which operates within a slot 121. A screw 122 Where it is desired to take photographic impressions on a glass plate in the formation of agroup negative, the adapter shown in Fig. 11 is used; This consists of an open frame 123 of thin metal, adapted to be secured to the bed plate by screws entered through bushings 124. The metal 1 1 frame carries acushion 125 (Fig. 13) of a thick-' ness-substantially-equal to that Of-the'glaSs-plate 128 which restsagainst locating'clips 127i and held by nmfflttmgs 128 connected to t' Where it 'is-desired to take photographic- 1 pressions close to the edge of the sensitized glass plate, alight sealing frame 129 is employed, which is hooked into place by bayonet; slots 130 and pins 131 and serves to support thin sealing strips 132 which extend across the gaps around the edge of the glass plate, as shown in Fig. 11, or by inserting loose rubber sheeting in the groove between the glass plate and the cushion 125, at the edge of the negative overlying the groove. The suction draws the loose sheeting against the edge of the negative holder and effects a vacuum seal.

The vacuum line connects with a vacuum pump 133 operated by a motor 134, which pump and motor are mounted upon the top of the main frame directly behind the bed plate. In order to establish vacuum in the negative frame, a tube 135 is provided, which leads from the vacuum frame to suitable pipe connections 136 leading to the pump.

The establishment of vacuum in the sealing frame is controlled by a valve 137 operated by a foot treadle 138, or in any other suitable manner.

Operation In operation, the negative holder, with the negative properly registered therein, is accurately positioned on the carriage and then turned to vertical position and locked in place, after which the carriage is adjusted to the desired position with respect to the sensitized plate by the combined adjustment of the carriage on the beam and the vertical. adjustment of the beam itself Both of these adjustments can be made with extreme accuracy by the mechanism afforded.

By providing means for adjusting the rack bars which govern the vertical travel of the beam, the

. machine itself can be additionally trued up with great accuracy, so that the vertical and transverse movements imparted to the carriage can be predetermined within the degree of accuracy required for the finest commercial work, The screw arrangement provided for fractional adjustments of the beam involve a simplification of structure as compared with that shown in the Huebner patent above referred to, in that the adjusting screws act directly upon the upper end of the slide plates which carry the ends of the beam, and thus bring the adjusting screw action to bear in the most direct and advantageous manner.

The arrangement of the counterweights operating within the proximate standards simplifies the construction to a very considerable degree.

Furthermore the mounting for the lamp housing is simplified, and the arrangement rendered more compact by the use of a single standard for supporting and adjusting the lamp housing.

The arrangement of the vacuum system not only makes it available for the development of suction between the negative and the sensitized.

plate, but also enables the vacuum system to be advantageously employed in holding the sensitized plate in position against the bed plate and renders the machine as a whole self-contained,

carried by the main frame, said plate support having vacuum openings through its surface, and a vacuum line connected with said openings for applying suction to the rear surface of a sensitized plate.

2. In a photographic printing apparatus, the combination of a main frame, a plate support carried by the main frame, said plate support having vacuum openings through its surface, a vacuum line connected with said openings for applying suction to the rear surface of a sensitized plate, and a vacuum pump carried by the main frame and connected with said vacuum line.

3. In a photographic printing apparatus, the combination of a main frame, a plate support carried by the main frame, said plate support having vacuum openings through its surface, a vacuum line connected with said openings for applying suction to the rear surface of a sensitized plate, and a vacuum pump carried by said main frame and having connection with said vacuum line and located immediately behind the plate support.

4. In a photographic printing apparatus, the combination of a main frame, a plate support carried by the main frame, said plate support having vacuum openings through its surface, and a vacuum line connected with said openings for applying suction to the rear surface of a sensitized plate, and a vacuum pump carried by the main frame and connected with said vacuum line, a vacuum negative frame in front of the plate support and relatively adjustable with respect thereto, and flexible pipe connections between the vacuum line and the negative frame for maintaining vacuum between the negative and the sensitized plate.

5. In a photographic printing apparatus, the combination of a main frame, a plate support carried by the main frame, said plate support having vacuum openings through its surface, and a vacuum line connected with said openings for applying suction to the rear surface of a sensi tized plate, and a vacuum pump carried by said main frame and having connection with said vacuum line and located immediately behind the plate support, a vacuum negative frame in front of the plate support and relatively adjustable with respect thereto, and flexible pipe connections between the vacuum line and the negative frame for maintaining vacuum between the negative and the sensitized plate.

6. In a photographic printing apparatus, the combination of a main frame, a plate support carried by the main frame, an adapter for a sensitized glass plate carried by the plate support and comprising a cushion frame of substantially the same thickness as the glass plate and provided with a central opening to receive the glass plate, and means for holding the glass plate in contact with the plate support.

7. In a photographic printing apparatus, the combination of a main frame, a plate support carried by the main frame, an adapter carried by the plate support and comprising a cushion frame provided with an opening to receive a sensitized glass plate therewithin and hold the same in contact with the plate support, vacuum elements in the plate support adapted to establish vacuum conditions behind the glass plate, and vacuum means to hold said sensitized glass plate to pro" vent mis-register movement thereof.

8. In a photographic printing apparatus, the combination of a main frame, a plate support carried by the main frame, an adapter carried by the plate. support and comprising a cushionframe provided with an opening to receive a sensitized glass plate and hold the same in contact with plate support adapted to establish vacuum conditions behind the glass plate, and a sealing frame adapted to be secured to the adapter and provided with sealing strips for overlying the gap around the glass plate.

- 10. In a photographic printing apparatus," the combination of a plate support provided with vacuum terminals and-a vacuum line leading thereto, an adapter adapted to be secured to the plate support and comprising a frame having a cushion layer secured thereto in position-to surround a-giass plate and hold the same in register with the vacuum terminals;

' 11. In a photographic printing apparatus, the combination of a plate support provided withv vacuum terminals and a vacuum line leading thereto, an adapter adapted to be secured to the plate support and comprising a frame having a cushion layer thereto in position to surround a glass plate and hold the same in register with the vacuum terminals, and a sealing frame adapted to be secured to the adapter and provided with sealing strips to overlie the gap aroun the glass plate. 12. In a photographic printing apparatus, the

combination of a main frame, a plate support car- I said pins being yieldingly depressible to flush posi- 1 tion with the press plate when printing means are appliedin printing contact with the press plate.

14. In a photographic printing apparatus, the combination with a rigid flat surface plate supagainst and in flxed position relative to theflat surface of the plate support, said means including a plurality of suction apertures inthe contact surface of the support and a yieldable sealing element surrounding the intake endof aperture.

WIIJJAM C. HUEBNER;

port; of vacuum means for holding a plate flat 

